Ryan Giggs has made more appearances and won more honours than any other United player in the club's illustrious history.
He surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton's previous record (of 758 matches) on the night he helped the Reds secure a third European Cup triumph - the second of his career - in Moscow on 21 May 2008.
United's most decorated player might never have graced Old Trafford, however, had it not been for Sir Alex Ferguson’s intervention. Cardiff-born Giggs was attending Manchester City's School of Excellence in his early teens, but Sir Alex made a personal visit to his house on his 14th birthday and Ryan
He surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton's previous record (of 758 matches) on the night he helped the Reds secure a third European Cup triumph - the second of his career - in Moscow on 21 May 2008.
United's most decorated player might never have graced Old Trafford, however, had it not been for Sir Alex Ferguson’s intervention. Cardiff-born Giggs was attending Manchester City's School of Excellence in his early teens, but Sir Alex made a personal visit to his house on his 14th birthday and Ryan
jumped at the chance to sign for his boyhood favourites.
Ryan turned professional at United in November 1990 and made his league debut in the old Division One against Everton at Old Trafford on 2 March 1991 as a substitute for Denis Irwin. His first league start in 1991/92 also proved a memorable occasion, as he also scored his first ever United goal that day (albeit via a huge deflection off Colin Hendry) in a 1-0 win over Manchester City.
Giggs' first senior trophy arrived in November 1991 as United beat Red Star Belgrade in the European Super Cup final - Giggs was a 71st minute substitute for Lee Martin. The
Ryan turned professional at United in November 1990 and made his league debut in the old Division One against Everton at Old Trafford on 2 March 1991 as a substitute for Denis Irwin. His first league start in 1991/92 also proved a memorable occasion, as he also scored his first ever United goal that day (albeit via a huge deflection off Colin Hendry) in a 1-0 win over Manchester City.
Giggs' first senior trophy arrived in November 1991 as United beat Red Star Belgrade in the European Super Cup final - Giggs was a 71st minute substitute for Lee Martin. The
Welshman picked up his second winners' medal of the campaign five months later as the Reds beat Nottingham Forest in the League Cup final. The following season, 1992/93, saw Giggs and United win the inaugural Premier League title.
Ryan was an integral part of two Double-winning sides, in 1993/94 and 1995/96, before going one better in 1998/99 by adding the European Cup to the FA Cup and Premier League trophy. His contributions to the Treble-winning campaign included a superb solo goal to win the FA Cup semi-final replay against Arsenal at Villa Park, commonly regarded as one of United's greatest goals of all time.
Ryan
Ryan was an integral part of two Double-winning sides, in 1993/94 and 1995/96, before going one better in 1998/99 by adding the European Cup to the FA Cup and Premier League trophy. His contributions to the Treble-winning campaign included a superb solo goal to win the FA Cup semi-final replay against Arsenal at Villa Park, commonly regarded as one of United's greatest goals of all time.
Ryan
celebrated 10 years at Old Trafford with a testimonial match against Celtic in 2001/02. A year later he bagged his 100th career goal in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and became only the second-ever player to play 700 games for United when he helped the Reds to a dramatic 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield in March 2007. Two months later, he became a league title winner for the ninth time, beating the record of eight championship medals held by Liverpool legends Phil Neal and Alan Hansen.
In the interests of prolonging his club career at the highest level, Ryan retired from international football with Wales in June 2007 after
In the interests of prolonging his club career at the highest level, Ryan retired from international football with Wales in June 2007 after
64 games and 12 goals. In October 2007, he extended his United contract to June 2009.
December 2007 brought two landmark achievements - Ryan was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to football and he scored his 100th league career goal in the 4-0 victory over Derby County at Old Trafford.
Ryan crowned the epic 2007/08 season, his 18th in United's first team, by scoring the Reds' second goal in the final day league win at Wigan and slotting home what proved to be the decisive penalty in the Champions League final shoot-out in Moscow.
Giggs' career continued with a flourish
December 2007 brought two landmark achievements - Ryan was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for his services to football and he scored his 100th league career goal in the 4-0 victory over Derby County at Old Trafford.
Ryan crowned the epic 2007/08 season, his 18th in United's first team, by scoring the Reds' second goal in the final day league win at Wigan and slotting home what proved to be the decisive penalty in the Champions League final shoot-out in Moscow.
Giggs' career continued with a flourish
during 2008/09 as he enjoyed a new role in the United team. Leaving the left flank where he made his name as a flying winger, he adopted a more central position in midfield or just off the main striker. His importance to the cause was recognised yet again in February 2009 when he agreed another one-year extension to keep him at Old Trafford until June 2010. In that same month he became the only player to score in every Premier League season from 1992/93 to 2008/09, when he netted in United's 1-0 win at West Ham.
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